Keith Humphreys

Keith Humphreys, a Stanford University addiction researcher and former drug policy advisor, dives deep into the persistent opioid crisis. He discusses how economic factors and societal despair interlink to sustain this epidemic. The conversation also highlights the shift from natural opiates to potent synthetics like fentanyl and questions the effectiveness of current regulatory measures. Humphreys presents innovative strategies for tackling addiction, including community support initiatives and unique sobriety programs designed to curtail opioid-related deaths.

Stanford professor Keith Humphreys shares his insights on drug decriminalization, revealing the grim realities faced by Oregon, San Francisco, and Seattle. He discusses the surge in overdose deaths as a result of these policies, highlighting the urgent need for supportive services. Humphreys also delves into the political fallout for district attorneys who backed these measures and the varied public opinions on drug reform. Additionally, he addresses the challenges of urban development initiatives in New York City.

Join Keith Humphreys, the Esther Ting Memorial Professor at Stanford Medicine and co-director of the Stanford Network on Addiction Policy, as he dives into the intersection of neuroscience and addiction policy. He dismantles the myth of addiction as a moral failing, emphasizing its biological roots and how understanding these can improve treatment. The discussion also highlights the need for compassionate policy, the importance of prevention, and how innovative therapies could reshape our future approach to addiction, making it more humane and effective.

In this discussion, Tyler TerMeer, CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, promotes harm reduction strategies. Keith Humphreys, a psychiatry professor at Stanford, delves into the implications of scaling back public access to clean smoking supplies. Sydney Johnson, a KQED News reporter, reveals how these policy shifts might increase risky behaviors among drug users. They explore the complexities of addiction, the need for comprehensive treatment options, and the balance between community perceptions and evidence-based practices.

Keith Humphreys, a Stanford psychiatry professor focused on addiction, joins Shrita Walden, the executive director of the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition. They discuss the unprecedented 15% drop in U.S. overdose deaths, citing improved access to treatment and education. The conversation highlights the importance of localized strategies to address disparities, especially in marginalized communities. They also delve into the shifting drug landscape and the need for sustained harm reduction efforts to address the ongoing opioid crisis.